Shoe-lace fastener.



A. S. FELLER & A. GRUNER.

snos LACE FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14. 1917.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

mvznrons ALBERT S. FELLER AND ADOLPH GBUNER, OF WILKINSBURG,PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE-LACE FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

Application filed November 14, 1917. Serial No. 201,916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT S. FELLER,

and ADOLPH GRUNER, citizens of the Republic of Switzerland, bothresiding at VVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inShoe-Lace Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shoe lace fasteners and has for its object toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, to enable the convenienttightening or loosening of a shoe lace, for securing or when removing ashoe from the foot.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe lace fastener, ina manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the ends of the lace can beadjusted to equal length without disconnecting the lace from the shoe.

Further objects of thd invention are to provide a shoe lace fastenerwhich is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,convenient and efficient in its use, readily secured to the upper of theshoe and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of anovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinaftermore specifically described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is tobe understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resortedto which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a perspective view of a shoe showing; the adaptationtherewith of a shoe lace fastener in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail on a portion of the upper of a shoe showingthe adaptation therewith of a pair of shoe lace fasteners in accordancewith this invention.

Fig. 3 is a top plan of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on line IVIV, Fig. 3, through the fastener.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1, denotes a sh e provided with tworows of shoe lace fasteners 9., for connecting the lace 3, in positionwith respect to the upper of the shoe. The fastener 3, consists of abase plate 4, having formed integral therewith, at one side thereof, aninverted L-shaped arm 5, the longitudinal leg 6, thereof being disposedparallel with the outer face of the base plate 4:. The free terminus ofthe longitudinal leg 6, is circular in contour as at 7. The horizontalleg of the arm 5, and the longitudinal leg 6, are inset as at 8, toprovide a rounded rib to facilitate the passage of the lace and toreduce the wearing of the lace to a minimum.

Interposed between the longitudinal leg 6, and the base plate 4:, is ananti-friction roller 9, which is. concavo-convex in longitudinal,section. Secured to the large end 7, of the leg 6, and to the base plate4:, is a shaft 10, upon which the roller 9, revolves.

The anti-friction roller 9, in connection with the horizontal leg of thearm 5, forms an eye or passage 11, for the lace 2.

Formed integral with the base plate 1, is a series of clamping prongs12, which are adapted to extend through the upper 13 and be clenched asat 14, to the inner face of the upper 13, whereby the fastener issecurely coupled in position.

Owing to the employment of the rollers 9, the lace can be convenientlytightened to secure the shoe in position on the foot and likewise can beconveniently loosened without detaching the lace from the fasteners,when it is desired to remove the shoe from the foot.

The rib 8, and anti-friction roller 9, reduce the wear of'the lace to aminimum, under such conditions the life of the lace is materiallyincreased when using the form of fastener shown instead of the eyes nowgenerally employed.

The fasteners further permit of the con venient adjusting of the ends ofthe lace to equal length without the necessity of detaching a portion ofthe lace as is the case when the ordinary way is employed.

What we claim is:

A shoe lace fastener comprising a base plate having clamping barbs, aninverted L-shaped arm having its short leg integral with the outer sideof said base plate and its long leg disposed parallel to said plate,

said arm having each of its legs pro- In testimony whereof We afiix oursignavlded With an 1nset portlon forming an lntures in the presence oftWo wltnesses. Wardly arranged convexo-concave rib, an kLBERT S FELLERanti-friction roller loosely journaled be- ADOLPH GRUNER tween said longleg and plate, and said rib opposing said roller and the upper face ofWitnesses: the plate to facilitate the passage of the MAX H. SRoLovITzlace. ELLA J. LETZKUS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

